All Hallows Catholic High School: Faith and Excellence in Penwortham

All Hallows Catholic High School sits in the leafy suburb of Penwortham, just south of the River Ribble, and stands as a beacon of traditional values and academic rigour. This is not a school that follows educational fads. Instead, it offers a consistent, faith-centred education that has kept it oversubscribed for decades. With a Progress 8 score of +0.7, students here achieve nearly three-quarters of a grade higher in every subject than their peers nationally. It is a place where the Catholic ethos is palpable, behaviour is impeccable, and expectations are unashamedly high.

Pass through the gates on Crabtree Avenue and the atmosphere is immediately distinct. There is a calmness here that belies the presence of nearly 900 teenagers. Uniforms are worn correctly, movement between lessons is orderly, and interactions between students and staff are marked by genuine courtesy.

Mrs Alison Cooper, who was appointed Headteacher in September 2022, leads with a clear vision that balances academic ambition with pastoral warmth. She inherited a school with a formidable reputation and has worked to maintain its high standards while ensuring the wellbeing of students remains central. The school operates on a human scale; it is large enough to offer breadth but small enough that no child remains anonymous.

The school’s mission is captured in its motto: Growing together in the spirit of Christ's love. This is not merely branding for the prospectus but the lived reality of the corridors. The Chaplaincy is the heartbeat of the school, driving a calendar of charity events, retreats, and liturgies that involve the whole community. While the environment is visibly Catholic, with sacred spaces and religious iconography, the culture is one of inclusivity. Students of other faiths or none are welcomed, provided they respect the school's distinctive character.

Academic performance is a headline strength. In 2024, the school’s GCSE results placed it in the top 23% of schools in England, cementing its status in the "national strong" band.

The most telling statistic for parents is the Progress 8 score of +0.7. This metric indicates that students at All Hallows make significantly more progress from their primary school starting points than the England average. Whether a student arrives with high prior attainment or requires additional support, the published figures suggest they will outperform expectations here.

Attainment is similarly impressive. The average Attainment 8 score of 57.5 sits well above the England average of 45.9. In the core English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, the average point score of 4.87 exceeds the national benchmark of 4.08. These figures reflect a curriculum that prioritises academic weight; the school resists the temptation to boost league table positions with "easier" qualifications, focusing instead on traditional GCSEs that hold currency with sixth forms and employers.

Ranked 6th among secondary schools in Preston and 1059th in England (FindMySchool ranking), All Hallows consistently delivers outcomes that rival selective grammar schools, all within a non-selective, comprehensive intake.

The curriculum is broad but traditional. Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) covers the full National Curriculum with a strong emphasis on core skills. Students study English, Mathematics, Science, and Religious Education alongside Humanities, Modern Foreign Languages, Arts, and Technology.

Teaching is characterised by expert subject knowledge and clear routines. Lessons are purposeful. Teachers expect engagement, and low-level disruption is rare. This disciplined environment allows staff to teach rather than manage behaviour, a factor that contributes significantly to the strong progress figures.

Science is a particular strength, supported by modern laboratories and a team of specialists who encourage enquiry. The percentage of students entering the EBacc is 16.4%, a figure the school is looking to grow, though it reflects a commitment to allowing students free choice in their options rather than forcing a specific pathway.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is robust. The Learning Support Department works closely with families to ensure that the curriculum is accessible. Teaching assistants are deployed effectively, not velcroed to students but facilitating independence.

All Hallows is an 11-16 school, meaning there is no sixth form on site. This "leaving" year creates a focused maturity in Year 11, who are the undisputed leaders of the school.

The majority of students progress to Cardinal Newman College in Preston, one of the highest-performing sixth form colleges in the country. The relationship between the school and the college is close, with transition activities ensuring a smooth handover. Other students choose apprenticeships or vocational courses at Preston College, depending on their career aspirations. The school’s strong Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme ensures that every student has a clear pathway, whether that leads to university, higher apprenticeships, or employment.

Entry to All Hallows is fiercely competitive. In the most recent intake, the school received 544 applications for just 177 places. With over three applicants for every single desk, it is one of the most oversubscribed schools in Lancashire.

As a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, the admissions policy prioritises faith. The hierarchy of criteria generally favours:

1. Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children.
2. Baptised Catholic children living in the designated parishes (including St Teresa's Penwortham, St Oswald's Longton, and St Mary's/St Andrew's Cottam).
3. Baptised Catholic children from other parishes.
4. Other children.

Parents must complete the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) and the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to provide evidence of baptism. Given the level of oversubscription, living in a feeder parish or attending a feeder primary school does not guarantee a place if the faith criteria are not met. Families considering All Hallows should read the admissions policy in minute detail.

Pastoral care is structured around the House system and Year groups. Each student belongs to a form group, and the Form Tutor is the first point of contact for parents. Heads of Year provide an additional layer of support, monitoring both academic progress and emotional wellbeing.

The school’s Catholic ethos means that care is viewed as a spiritual duty. The "All Hallows Family" is a phrase often used, and students report feeling safe and supported. Bullying is taken seriously; when it occurs, it is dealt with swiftly using restorative approaches where appropriate.

Mental health support has been expanded in recent years, with access to school counsellors and external agencies for students who need it. The PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum covers modern challenges, from online safety to healthy relationships, grounded in Catholic social teaching.

Education here extends far beyond the exam hall. The extracurricular offer is extensive, designed to develop character and uncover talents.

Sport is a major pillar of school life. The PE department runs a busy fixture list, with teams competing locally and regionally in football, netball, rugby, and athletics. The facilities, including a sports hall and extensive playing fields, support high levels of participation.

Music and the Arts are equally vibrant. The school choir performs regularly at school liturgies and community events, while the annual school production is a highlight of the calendar, involving dozens of students in acting, technical, and design roles. Departmental clubs are specific and varied: the STEM Club allows budding engineers to work on practical projects, while the Eco Group drives sustainability initiatives across the campus.

Charity work is non-negotiable. Every form group is involved in fundraising, supporting charities such as CAFOD and Nugent Care. This is not just about collecting coins; it is about educating students on their responsibility to the wider world. The chaplaincy team leads retreats to Castlerigg Manor in the Lake District, giving students space to reflect and bond away from the pressures of the classroom.

The school day begins at 8:50am and concludes at 3:05pm. Located on Crabtree Avenue, the site is well-served by local bus routes connecting Penwortham to Preston and the surrounding villages. Parents driving for drop-off should be aware that the surrounding residential streets can become congested; the school encourages walking or cycling where possible.

Uniform is strict. Blazers must be worn, shirts tucked in, and ties at the correct length. The school views the uniform as a sign of belonging and equity, and parents are expected to support these standards.

Faith commitment expected. This is an unapologetically Catholic school. While students of all faiths are welcome, all pupils participate in RE lessons, liturgies, and the spiritual life of the school. Families uncomfortable with this integration of faith and education may find it unsuitable.

No on-site sixth form. Students must move institutions at 16. While the transition to Cardinal Newman College is well-trodden, some families prefer the continuity of an 11-18 school where students can remain in a familiar environment for A-levels.

Oversubscription risks. With three applications for every place, entry is far from guaranteed even for Catholic families living nearby. Parents must have a realistic backup plan, as the disappointment of missing out is a common experience for local families.

All Hallows Catholic High School delivers a traditional, disciplined, and high-achieving education that parents prize highly. It combines the academic punch of a grammar school with the pastoral warmth of a faith community. Best suited to families who value structure, support the Catholic ethos, and want their children to be stretched academically. The main challenge is getting a place; for those who do, the education is exceptional.